The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1887-11-02


echoed Mrs. Downing's touching appeal
wren she begged tnat johnson "would
give to us Joil Davis back again; release
him for Christmas present and thus
accomplish what he mover had done-thc
subjugation of tho Southern women" ."
Whom at length ''hopo deferred had
made the heart SICK" the glad tidings
were flashed through the country, "Jcil
Davis has been released" 1 thanked
God and wept for JOY, and Horace
Greeley is one Yankee for whom L retain
warm place in my heart Whatever
the motive, thank and honor him for
that one action, which ennoblcd his life
hopo L may live to SEQ and thank him
torglvlng security for "our President" +"
select committee of tho New York
Union League called O meeting to take
action upon Mr.. Greely's conduct. Re
plying to their letter he "darcd thom 10
cxpel him." He began his letter:
"Gentlomon, L shall not attend your
meeting this evening l have an engage
mcnt out of town and shall keep it.
do, not recognize you as capable of
Judging, or even fully experimenting me.
You evidently regard mo as weak sen
timentalist, misled by maudlin philos-
ophy. arraign you as narrow-miDded
blockhoads. That was bold letter.
L attended club meeting at-on
Thursday night. While conversing with
MIR, Carter he quietly remarked that MIR.
Davis Vas in Augusta. "What, Prcsi
dent Davis?" L said, in tones of clad
surprise. He told mo eyes" 81 will
certainly go tho city in the morning and
take Joif with me-" | remarked Imtcr
IN tho evening group consisting of Alv.
Carter and others were convcrsing
Others joined us, to whom ] told the
good news, and there was q ring of ex.
nltation and pride in my voice as L told
them "Jeff Davis was in Augusta. )"
Looking up L saw that one of our North
crn guests was seated near me; but what
cared |, as remarked: 81 am SO anxi-
GUS to see him-I do so honor and
reverence his name" "NIr. Davis owes
the estimation which tho Southern peo-
pie hold him in to his long imprison-
mont" remarked Mr.. Carter. This
piqued mo. "You must admit that he
paid high price to gain this admira-
ton" ] replied. eyes" he admitted,
"but Jclf Davis ought to thank God for
his being prisoner. Had this not been
the case he would have gone to his grave
and unsung." "Why, Mr.
Carter, am astonishcd," replied, "but
confess, | cannot argue coolly with
you, | only know that his long impris-
onmont has cndcared him to all true
women. Mr. Davis has faults.
as who has not?"
Just then somo one called Mr.. Bruce
to form qIadrillo, and then L expos
tulatcd with Mr.. Carter, who is n minis
ter, for speaking in dispNraging terms OF
Mr.. Davis Goforea Yankee, ana, in tones
OF bitterness l could not prevent, ] re-
marked, conc might possibly imagine
Nlr. Davis as going to his grave un-
honorcd and unsung by Southern pco-
pic, when we sec Confederate officers
ignore the tito which is their highest
honor. Why, were | man who had
been in service, l should claim my rank,
from corporal to II major general, as
tho badge of distinction by which i
should wish to be known by all men"
Atiuding 10 my remark, "that Mr..
Davis called the Southern women "tho
dear daughters OF his people," Mr.
Carter said, "Hhat was so much like Mr..
Davis"
"Why do you object to it?" said l.
for by this time all tho enthusiasm Of
my nature was aroused; "you are
you speak Of your conprega-
ton as your people, they are moro yours
than mine; just SO, Mr.. Davis alluded to
the Southern people as his people; they
are more his than yours, and | delight
to love, to honor and reverence him..
Mr.. Davis is the only man living whom
should feel willing to kiss the hand OF
and feel honored in so doing"
| smiled as realized how far my wo-
mans love of hero worship, combined
with my Indignation, had carried me,
and our conversation was changed by
mutual consent, not until Mr.. Carter hal
expressed sufficiently high opinion Of
MIR, Davis to satisfy even my wish to do
him homage.
Yesterday morning Turner rode into
Che city and Je1f and l drove in tho
buggy. We hoped to sec Mr.. Davis.
The morning was beautiful, and as
memories of tho past-the Confederate
past-thronged my mind, they were
soitened by tho presence of beautiful
nature. JEFF and l talked, and he sang
snatches OF little songs, and as VIC drove
through the "Doublo Branches" we
watched the fish as they glided by, and
my heart had singularly uplifted feel
ing and an ever present sense of the
goodness of God.
Arriving in the city read that Presi-
dent Davis would have reception from
twelve until two o'clock. Accompanied
by Turner, jeff and Mary Vason, we
called at the Planters Hotel Colonel
Snead met us at the door, and we waited
few moments until party who had
been introduced finished their convcrsa-
ton. "Is that President Davis?" l en-
quired, as l saw gentleman bow to an
introduction. 'Yes, wouldn't You have
known him by his picture?" "No," L
replied, che is much better looking
younger looking" just then the Presi.
dent turned, and Colonel Snead intro
duced us. | shook hands with him, and
for the moment forgot all else in the
great content of an accomplished hope.
Drawing my little boy to me intro
duced him as "Jeif Davis Thomas" He
took Jeff's hand in his, drew him closely
to him and held there, with his arm
around him, 81 cannot tell you,
madame, how highly / appreciate this
compliment, said he. My heart warm
ed at his reception of JEFF. and 4 added